Freedom Rides

Freedom Rides

Who

What

Freedom rides were seven african americans and five whites riding together on a bus through the upper South,though fearful of journeying to the Deep South.

When

In 1946 when the U.S. Supreme Court banned segregation in interstate bus travel. A year late was when they got an interracial group of activists who rode together on the same bus which was named the Freedom Rides.

Where

The Freedom Riders left Washington D.C., on May 4,1961, on a Freedom Ride in two buses bound for New Orleans.

Why

Freedom Rides started because when the U.S. Supreme Court banned segregation on bus travel, the Congress of Racial Equality and the Fellowship of Reconciliation tested the ruling by getting different races and putting them on a bus together until it took effect.

Long Term Effects

When the U.s Supreme court banned segregation on bus travel in 1946 it didn't take effect until 1961.

Short Term Effects

On there way to New Orleans the first bus was firebombed on may 14, only 10 days after they left Washington D.C. The Second bus was also similarly attacked and the passengers beaten.

Buses Attacked on Way to New Orleans

On May 14, stopping outside of Anniston to change a slashed tire, one bus was bombed and the Freedom Riders were beaten. Entering Birmingham, the second bus was also attacked and the passengers beaten. In both cases, law enforcement was suspiciously late in responding, and there were suspicions of collusion in that late response.